Collapsible easel and support therefor



Aug. 17, 1965 E. 0. ROSE COLLAPSIBLE EASEL AND SUPPORT THEREFOR 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Sept. 5, 1961 EM/L/E ORB/96M 2521A I INVENTOR.

Aug..'17, 1965 E. o. WTEE 3,201,030

COLLAPSIBLE EASEL AND SUPPORT THEREFOR Filed Sept. 5, 1961 s Sheets-Sheet 2 Emma @8540? F055 IN VEN TOR.

Aug. 17, 1965 E. o. ROSE COLLAPSIBLE EASEL AND SUPPORT THEREFOR 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Sept. 5, 1961 EM/L/E OABACK P055;

IN VEN T0 R.

United States Patent Office a 1,080 Fatented Aug. 17, 19%;?

3,291,4l8d CGLLAFSIRILE EASEL AND SUPFUR'I THEREFGR Emilie Orback Rose, 902 President Sat Brooklyn, N.Y. Filed Sept. 5, 1961, er. No. 136,706 11 Claims. (Cl. 24846ll) This invention relates to an easel for supporting canvases and the like and is particularly directed to a collapsible easel, which may be reduced in height and supported in a carrying case, and a plurality of accessories and canvas support means used in conjunction therewith.

In painting, particularly outdoor work and painting done away from a studio, it is necessary to transport an easel for supporting the canvas, canvas support members, brushes, paints and the like, to the point of location.

In rain and other inclement weather, a partially completed canvas is frequently damaged, or completely destroyed by rain or snow, which falls while a painting is in process or during the painting process.

The invention is directed to an easel which may be expanded to its full height to rigidly support a relatively large canvas, means being provided for supporting the canvas during the painting process, the easel being so constructed that it may be reduced in height, or telescoped so that it will fit into a relatively small carrying case.

Another feature of the construction is that a tent or canopy is provided, surrounding the easel, and supported by the easel, the canopy being adapted to protect the painter and the canvas, while painting in inclement weather.

Another feature of the construction is that adjustable support means is attached to the easel for rigidly and accurately supporting the canvas regardless of the adjusted height of the easel.

The primary object of the invention is to provide an easel which is readily adjustable for height, the legs of the easel being collapsible, so it will readily fit into a carrying case.

Another object is to provide an easel equipped with adjustable support means for accurately and rigidly supporting the canvas on the easel.

Another object is to provide an easel fitted with a collapsible tent, or canopy which is supported by the easel, the canopy being adapted to protect the canvas supported by the easel from the elements.

Another object is to provide means for latching the legs of the easel in any adjustable position, so that the easel can be used, with equal facility, at any adjusted height.

Another object is to provide a carrying case which will support the collapsible easel, the canopy, a chair, and the various paints and accessories used for painting.

The accompanying drawings, illustrative of one embodiment of my invention, together with the description of their construction and the method of operation, mounting and utilization thereof, will serve to clarify further objects and advantages of my invent-ion.

In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a front elevationed view of the collapsible easel, fitted with adjustable legs.

FIGURE 2 is a partial cross-section through the legs, and a partial plan view of the easel shown in FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 3 is a longitudinal section through one of the adjustable legs of the easel shown in FIGURE 1, the leg being shown in the expanded position.

FIGURE 4 is a longitudinal section, similar to FIGURE 3, through a minor modification of one of the legs of the easel shown in FIGURE 1, with the leg sections shown in the collapsed position.

FIGURE 5 is a cross-section through the easel leg shown in FIGURE 3, with the leg sections shown in their locked expanded position, the section being taken on the line 5-5 of FIGURE 3.

FIGURE 6 is a cross-section, similar to FIGURE 5, through one of the easel legs, shown in FIGURES 3 and 4, the leg sections being shown in their adjustable position, the section being taken on the line 6-6, FIGURE 4.

FIGURE 7 is a plan view of a ledge for supporting the canvas shown in FIGURE 1, and the means for attaching the ledge to the legs of the easel.

FIGURE 8 is a plan view of an adjustable foot rest attached to the legs of the ease], shown in FIG. l.

FIGURE 9 is a longitudinal section through the foot rest, shown in FIGURE 8, taken on the line 99, FIG- URE 8.

It will be understood that the following description of the construction and the method or operation and utilization of the collapsible easel and case is intended as explanatory of the invention and not restrictive thereof.

In the drawings, the same reference numerals designate the same parts throughout the various views, except where otherwise indicated.

One embodiment of the collapsible easel 15 shown in FIGURES 1, 2, 3 and 4, consists of three adjustable legs l6, 16a, 15b, the upper end of which are supported by and attached to a pair of top rings 17, 18, as shown in FIGURES 1 and 2.

Each of the adjustable legs of the easel includes 'a relatively long tubular main section 29, a plurality of tubular telescoping lower sections 21, 22, 23 slidably fitted to the lower end of the main section 26, and a plurality of telescoping upper sections 24, 25, 26 slidably fitted to the upper end of the main section.

The upper ends of the inner upper sections of the three legs 16, 16a, 15b of the easel are supported by and attached to the two top rings 17, 18, shown in FIGURES 1 and 2.

The inner ring 17, which is of circular segmental crosssection, is fitted to the inner edges of the upper sections 26 of the three legs 16, 16a, as shown in FIGURE 2.

The two rings 17, 18 may be attached to the upper sections 26, 26a of the three legs by bolts or other suitable means inserted through the two rings 17, 18 and the extreme upper sections 26, 26a of the three legs 16, 16a, 16b of the collapsible easel.

The two sections 21, 24 of each leg of the easel located adjacent the central section 2% thereof are retained in the expanded position shown in FIGURES 1 and 3, 'oya pair of pins 28, 28a, each of the pins being inserted through an opening through the large diameter central section, the body of the pin extending through a slot 29, through the large diameter lower section 21 of the leg, as shown in FIGURES 3 and 5, the slot allowing the top lower section 21 to be rotated from the expanded position shown in FIGURE 3, until the lower section 21 reaches the adjustable position shown in FIGURES 4 and 6, in which the free end of the pin 28 clears the first lower section of the leg, which permits the first lower section of the leg 16 to be moved from the expanded position shown in FIGURE 3 to the contracted position shown in FIG- URE 4.

A washer 3t) of arcuate cross-sectional contour, which is attached to the body of the pin is inserted into the annular area between the circumferential inner surface of the central or main section 2%) of the leg and the first lower section thereof.

The second lower section 22 of the leg 16 is held in the expanded position, relative to the first lower section by a similar pin 32, which is inserted through an opening through the first lower section, the body of the pin being inserted through a radial slot 33, through the second lower section, the slot enabling the second lower section to be rotated from the position shown in FIGURE 3 to the collapsing position shown in FIGURE 4 in which the free end of the pin clears a longitudinal depression 34, of

arcuate cross-sectional contour formed in the first lower section 21 of the leg, the depression allowing the first lower section of the leg 16 to be moved to a contracted position in length from the expanded position, shown in FIGURE 3, to the contracted position shown in FIGURE 4.

In the contracted position, shown in FIGURE 4, the head 35 of the pin 28 engages the bottom of the central section of the leg, thereby providing a stop to limit the movement of the first lower section of the leg into the central section thereof.

A similar headed pin 37 inserted through an opening in the second lower section 22 of the leg retains the third lower section in the expanded position, shown in FlGURE 3, in the manner hereinbefore described.

In the adjusting position, shown in FIGURE 4, the free end of the pin 37 clears the surface of an arcuate longitudinal depression in the third lower section 23 of the leg.

In this part of the leg construction, the head 38, integral with the pin 37 engages the bottom of the first section 21 of the leg, thereby limiting the movement of the second section of the leg 16 into the first section thereof.

The first upper section is supported within the main section of each leg by a pin 28a, in the same manner as the first lower section thereof. Similarly, the second upper section is supported within the first upper section by a second pin 32a, similar to the pin located in the corresponding lower sections.

The third upper section is held in place relative to the second upper section by a pin 37a, which is similar to that supporting the corresponding lower section 23 of the leg.

The longitudinal depressions in the first, second and third upper sections of the leg 16, clear the free end of the pins 28, 32, and allow the three upper sections of the leg to be moved from the expanded position shown in FIGURE 3 to the contracted position shown in FIG- URE 4.

A tip 40 is attached to the lower end of the third lower section 23 of each leg of' the easel. The tip includes a tapered frusto-conical spike 41, which digs into the ground to support the leg of the easel, and a cylindrical pilot section 43, integral with the spike and co-axial therewith, the pilot section 43 being slidably fitted to the interior of the third lower section of the leg. A tubular collar 42, which is fixedly attached to the lower end of the third lower section 23 of the leg, surrounds the pilot section 43.

A lock screw 44, or other type of locking means threadedly fitted to the wall of the third lower section 23 of the leg is provided to clamp the tip to the leg in the outer position shown in FIG. 3.

When the tip 44) is retracted, the lock screw engages I the outer circumference of the spike ill, thereby retaining the tip in the retracted position shown by dot-dash lines in FIG. 3. The pilot section has a longitudinal groove therein, to clear the inner surface of the arcuate depression, in

the lower end of the third lower section of the leg of the easel.

When the tip is in the retracted position, shown by dot-dashlines in FIG. 3, the easel may be used indoors,

a coaster, or other type of protector being provided to .to two of the legs 16, 16b of the easel shown in FIG- URE 1.

The ledge shown in FIGURE 7 is formed in two sections, the forward section 46, which supports the canvas, or'other article mounted on the easel, and a rear 0r clamping section 47, which is mounted adjacent the inner edge of the circumferential outer surface of the legs 16, 16b.

The portion of the ledge located adjacent the legs 16, 16b, of the easel, has a pair of circular segmental cutouts 48, 43a, in the rear edge thereof, to clear the circumferential outer surface of the two legs of the easel.

The clamping section of the ledge has a mating pair of circular segmental cutouts therein to clear the opposite edge of the circumferential outer surface of the two legs 16, 16b of the easel.

The ledge 45 and the clamping section thereof, are clamped to the two legs 16, 16b of the easel and also clamped to one another by two pair of bolts 49, 4911, which are inserted through openings in the flanges of the clamping section and the forward section of the ledge 45 respectively.

The forward section of the ledge includes a front and rear flange 50, Sila, which are integral with and located adjacent the front and rear edges of the forward section of the ledge.

The inner surface of the forward section of the ledge between the two flanges 5%, 59a of the ledge has a plurality of parallel grooves 51, therein, the grooves being adapted to locate and accurately postion the canvas relative to the forward section of the ledge 45.

As shown in FIGURES l and 2, the upper end of the main central section of the legs 16, 16b of the easel has holders 61, 61a being angularly positioned relative to the a longitudinal axis of the ledge. Each canvas holder 61 includes a substantially cylindrical body section 52 which is inserted through, or otherwise fixedly attached to the corresponding main section 2%) of the leg of the easel, and an extension 53, integral with the outer edge of the body section, each extension being substantially perpendicular to the axis of the body section, each extension projecting downward beyond the circumferential "outer surface of the body section, the two extensions being adapted to engage the upper forward edge of the canvas to hold the canvas in place on the ledge 55 supporting it.

ldb of the easel.

The foot-rest is formed in two sections 55, 56, which are adjustable to correspond to the spacing between the two forward legs 16, 16b of the easel.

' The foot-rest is formed in two sections 55, 56, which are adjustable to correspond to the spacing between the two forward legs 16, 16b of the easel.

Each section 55, 56 of the foot-rest has a'pair of panellel-faced slots 5'7, 58, therethrough, the slots being adapted to clear two rows, each row consisting of a plurality of bolts or screws 59, 60, which are inserted through the slots through the left andright-hand sections of the footrest, to clamp the foot-rest in an adjusted position, corresponding to the spacing between the two front legs 16, 16b of the easel. Each section of the foot-rest has a bracket 69 having a loop e2, 62a, integral with the upper end thereof, attached thereto. A circular strap .63, 63a, is attached to the lower end of the third lower section of each leg 16, 16b of the easel, each strap having a projecting pin 54-, 6% attached thereto, the pins being adapted to be fitted through the loops 62, 62a at the upper ends of the brackets 69 attached to the ends of the sections of the foot-rest 5d, the pins 64, 64a being adapted to pivotally support the foot-rest, thereby allowing the foot-rest to swing when in use in order to adjust itself to the angular position of the foot of the artist, or other person using the easel 15.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that my resent invention is not limited to the specific details described above and shown in drawings, and that various modifications are possible in carrying out the features of the invention and the operation, and method of utiliza tion thereof, without departing from the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

5 i What is claimed is.

1. A collapsible easel comprising a plurality of legs angularly positioned relative to one another, each of said legs including a tubular central section, a plurality of first tubular sections slidably fitted to the first end of the central section, a plurality of second tubular sections slidably fitted to the second end of the central section means attached to the end of the central section, the sections of the leg adjoining one another, near the first section engaging one of the first sections, to retain the first section in the expanded position, means attached to each of the first sections engaging the section located next to the first section to retain the leg in the expanded position, means attached to the end of the central section near the second sections, engaging one of the second sections, to retain the second section, located adjacent the central section, in the expanded position, means attached to each of the second sections engaging the end of the adjoining section of the leg, to retain the leg in the expanded position, and a plurality of substantially circular members attached to the end of one of the sections of the legs to attach the legs of the easel to one another, the means attached to the end of the central section near the first lower section, being a pin inserted through the outer wall of the central section of the leg and fixedly attached thereto, the first lower section having a slot in the form of an arcuate segment of a circle, therethrough, said slot receiving one end of the pin attached to the central section, to retain the first lower section in the expanded position.

2. A collapsible easel comprising a plurality of legs angularly positioned relative to one another, each of said legs including a tubular central section, a plurality of upper sections slidably fitted to the upper end of the central section, a plurality of lower sections slidably fitted to the lower end of the central section, means attached to each end of the central section of each leg engaging in the adjoining upper and lower section of the leg to retain the upper and lower sections of the leg in the expanded position, means attached to each of the upper section adjacent one end thereof engaging in the adjoining upper section of the leg to retain the upper section of the leg in the, expanded position, means attached to each of the lower sections of the leg, engaging in the adjoining lower section of the leg, to retain the adjoining lower section of the leg in the expanded position, and a plurality of a.

substantially circular members fixedly attached to one end of the extreme upper sections of each leg of the easel, to attach the legs of the easel to one another, the means attached to the end of the central section, near the first lower section, being a pin inserted through the outer wall of the central section of the leg and fixedly attached thereto, the first lower section having a slot in the form, of an arcuate segment of a circle therethrough, said slot receiving one end of the pin attached to the central section, to retain the first lower section in the expanded position.

, 3. The collapsible easel of claim 2, with a multiple section ledge removably attached to two of the legs of the easel, each section of the ledge being mounted adjacent the central sections of one pair of legs, and means clamping the two sections of the ledge to one another, and to the central sections of the adjacent legs of the easel, one section of the ledge being operative to support a framed canvas.

4. The collapsible easel of claim 2 with a multiple section ledge removably attached to two of the legs of the easel, eachsection of the ledge being mounted adjacent the central sections of one pair of legs, and means for clamping the two sections of the ledge to one another, and to the central sections of the adjacent legs of the easel, one section of the ledge being operative to support a framed canvas extending between an adjoining pair of legs, a canvas holder spacedly located relative to the ledge, removably attached to each of the legsof the easel attached to the ledge, each canvas holder including a body leg, a second lower section slidably fitted to the first lower section of each leg, and a bottom lower section slidably fitted to the second lower section of each leg, a foot rest fitted to a pair of legs of the easel, adjacent the bottom lower sections of the two legs, and means attached to each bottom lower section of each leg, located adjacent the foot rest pivotally supporting one end of the foot rest.

6. The collapsible easel of claim 2 with the lower leg sections including a first tubular lower section Slld",

ably fitted to the central section and extending downward therefrom, a second lower section slidably fitted to the first lower section and extending downward therefrom, and a bottom lower section slidably fitted to the second lower section and extending downward therefrom, the means attached to one end of the central section being a pin inserted through a Wall of the central section and fixedly attached thereto, the first lower section having a slot in the form of an arcuate segment of a circle therethrough, said slot receiving one end of the pin inserted through the central section to retain the first lower section in the expanded position, the means attached to each lower section, including a pin inserted through the outer wall of the first lower section of the leg and attached thereto, the second section of the leg having a slot in the form of an arcuate segment of a circle therethrough, the slot receiving one end of the pin inserted through the first lower section to retain the second lower section in the expanded position, and a pin inserted through the outer wall of the second lower section of each leg and projecting therethrough, the bottom lower section of the leg having a slot in the formof an arcuate segment of a circle therethrough, the slot being operative to receive one end of the pin inserted through the second lower section of the leg, to retain the bottom lower section of the leg in the expanded position.

7. The collapsible easel of claim 2 with the upper section of the legs of the easel including a first tubular upper section slidably fitted to the central section, and extending upward therefrom, a second upper section slidably fitted to the first upper section and extending downward therefrom, and a top upper section slidably fitted to the second upper section and extending upward therefrom, the means attached to the upper end of the central section being a pin inserted through the outer wall of the cen tral section and fixedly attached thereto, the first upper section of the leg having a slot in the form or" an arcuate segment of a circle therethrough, said slot receiving one end of the pin inserted through the central section to retain the first upper section in the expanded position, the means attached to each lower section including a pin inserted through the outer wall of the first upper section of the leg and attached thereto, the second upper section of the leg having a slot in the form of an arcuate seg ment of a circle therethrough, the slot receiving one end of the pin inserted through the outer, wall of the first upper section to retain the second upper section in the expanded position, a pin inserted through the outer wall of the second upper section of each leg and projecting therethrough, the upper section of each leg having a slot in the form of an arcuate segment of a circle therethrough, the slot receiving one end of the pin inserted through the second upper section, to retain the top upper section in the expanded position, relative to the second upper section.

8'. A collapsible easel comprising a plurality of legs angularly positioned relative to one another, each of said legs including a tubular central section, a plurality of upper sections slidably fitted to the upper end of the central section, a plurality of lower sections slidably fitted to the lower end of the central section, means attached to each end of the central section of each leg engaging in the adjoining section of the leg to retain the section of the leg in the expanded position, means attached to each of 'the upper sections of each leg, adjacent one end there'- i of, engaging in the adjoining upper sections of the leg,

to retatirr the upper section of the leg in the expanded position, means attached to each of the lower sections of the leg, engaging in the adjoining lower section of the leg, to retain the lower section of the leg in the expanded position, and a plurality of substantially circular members fixedly attached to one end of one of the upper sections of each leg of the easel to attach the legs of the easel to one another, the means attached to the end of the central section, near the first lower section, being a pin inserted through the outer wall of the central section of the leg and fixedly attached thereto, the first lower section having a slot in the form of an arcuate segment of a circle therethrough, said slot receiving one end of the pin attached to the central section, to retain the first lower section in the expanded position.

. 9. The collapsible easel of claim 8 with lower sections of each leg including a first tubular lower section slidably fitted to the central section and extending downward therefrom, a second lower section slidably fitted to the first lower section and extending downward there from, and a bottom lower section slidably fitted to the second lower section and extending downward thereto retain the first lower section in the expanded position, the means attached to each lower section including a pin inserted through the wall of the first lower section of the leg and attached thereto, the second lower section of the leg having a circular segmental slot therethrough, the slot receiving one end of the pin inserted through the first lower section to retain the second lower section in the expanded position relative to the first, lower section, and a pin inserted through the outer wall of the second lower section of each leg, and projecting therethrough, the bottom lower section of each leg having a slot in the form of an arcuate segment of a'circle therethrough, the slot receiving one end of the pin inserted through the second lower section to retain the bottom lower section in the expanded position, the pin attached to the first lower section of each leg having a head integral therewith, and extending outward therefrom, the head of the pin attached to the first lower section of the leg engaging the adjacent end of the central section of the leg to limit the movement of the first lower section of the leg into the central section, in the contracted position thereof, the pin attached to the second lower section of each leg having a head integral therewith, and projecting outward therefrom, the head engaging the lower end of the first lower section of the leg to limit the movement of the second lower section of the leg into the first lower section thereof in the contracted position.

, 8 it The collapsible easel of claim 8 with the upper sections of each leg including a first tubular upper section, slidably fitted to the central section and extending upward therefrom, a second upper section slidably fitted to the first upper section, and extending upward therefrom, and

a top upper section slidably fitted to the second upper section of the leg, and extending upward therefrom, the

means attached to the upper end of the central section being a pin inserted through the outer wall of the central section, and fixedly attachedthereto, the first upper section of each leg having a slot in the form of an arcuate segment of a circle therethrough, said slot receivingone end of the pin attached to the central'section, to retain the first uppper section in the expanded position, the means at tached to each upper section of the leg including a pin inserted through the outer wall of the first upper section, and attached thereto, the second upper section of the leg having a slot in the form of an arcuate segment of a circle therethrough, the slot receiving one end of the pin in-' leg having a head integral therewith, and extending out-' ward therefrom, the head of the pin attached to the first upper section of the leg engaging the adjacent end of the central section of the leg to limit the movement of the first upper section of the leg into the central section in the contracted position, the pin attached to the second upper section of the leg having a head integral therewith,

and extending outward therefrom, the head engaging the upper end of the first upper section of the leg, to limit the movement of the second upper section of the leg into the first upper section thereof, in the contracted.

position.

11. A collapsible easel as described in claim 1, the base of each of the bottom lower sections provided with atubular collar fixedly secured thereto, a spike element slidably disposed Within each of the said sections and extensible therefrom through its collar, and a lock screw threadedly disposed through the wall of each of said sections adjacent the spike element, the spike element comprising a cylindrical body portion and tapered end depending therefrom, the lock screw being operative to lock the spike element to its respective lower section in extended or retracted position with respect to the base of the section.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 688,489 12/01 Sattel 248,-191X 753,050 2/04 Dorney 312 315 831,766 9/06 Bing 248-197 2,019,214 10/35 Denny 248-191X 2,675,256 4/54 Cornell 24s 191 X 2,744,712 5/57 Brandt 248--197 x. 3,031,247 4/62 Schieve 248-197 X CLAUDE A. LE ROY, Primary'Examiner.

ROBERT C. RIORDON, FRANK L. ABBOTT,

Examiners. 

1. A COLLAPSIBLE EASEL COMPRISING A PLURALITY OF LEGS ANGULARLY POSITIONED RELATIVE TO ONE ANOTHER, EACH OF SAID LEGS INCLUDING A TUBULAR CENTRAL SECTION, A PLURALITY OF FIRST TUBULAR SECTIONS SLIDABLY FITTED TO THE FIRST END OF THE CENTRAL SECTION, A PLURALITY OF SECOND TUBULAR SECTIONS SLIDABLY FITTED TO THE SECOND END OF THE CENTRAL SECTION MEANS ATTACHED TO THE END OF THE CENTRAL SECTION, THE SECTIONS OF THE LEG ADJOINING ONE ANOTHER, NEAR THE FIRST SECTION ENGAGING ONE OF THE FIRST SECTIONS, TO RETAIN THE FIRST SECTION IN THE EXPANDED POSITION, MEANS ATTACHED TO EACH OF THE FIRST SECTIONS ENGAGING THE SECTION LOCATED NEXT TO THE FIRST SECTION TO RETAIN THE LEG IN THE EXPANDED POSITION, MEANS ATTACHED TO THE END OF THE CENTRAL SECTION NEAR THE SECOND SECTIONS, ENGAGING ONE OF THE SECOND SECTIONS, TO RETAIN THE SECOND SECTION, LOCATED ADJACENT THE CENTRAL SECTION, IN THE EXPANDED POSITION, MEANS ATTACHED TO EACH OF THE SECOND SECTIONS ENGAGING THE END OF THE ADJOINING SECTION OF THE LEG, TO RETAIN THE LEG IN THE EXPANDED POSITION, AND A PLURALITY OF SUBSTANTIALLY CIRCULAR MEMBERS ATTACHED TO THE END OF ONE OF THE SECTIONS OF THE LEGS TO ATTACH THE LEGS OF THE EASEL TO ONE ANOTHER, THE MEANS GEN. ATTACHED TO THE END OF THE CENTRAL SECTION NEAR THE FIRST LOWER SECTION, BEING A PIN INSERTED THROUGH THE OUTER WALL OF THE CENTRAL SECTION OF THE LEG AND FIXEDLY ATTACHED THERETO, THE FIRST LOWER SECTION HAVING A SLOT IN THE FORM OF AN ARCUATED SEGMENT OF A CIRCLE, A THERETHROUGH, SAID SLOT RECEIVING ONE END OF THE PIN ATTACHED TO THE CENTRAL SECTION, TO RETAIN THE FIRST LOWER SECTION INT HE EXPANDED POSITION. 